David G. Auringer

MADISON LAKE - David passed away suddenly, literally in the middle of a card game with family. He wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. A celebration of David's life will be held at a later date - details will be announced here, so please check back later for more informtation.

David was born in Mankato, MN. He was the son of Wilmar and Muriel Auringer. David, a lifelong sports fan, occasional hunting legend, dedicated fisherman, and full-time grandkid spectator, has officially clocked out of this inning of life. David spent his years mastering the fine arts of softball strategy, tall fishing tales, and yelling extremely helpful advice from the sidelines of youth sporting events.

David loved softball, hunting, fishing, playing cards, golfing, doing puzzles, and being with family. He also liked arguing about the best way to do those things. If there was a ballfield nearby, David could be found there, either playing, coaching, watching, or explaining loudly how the umpire had absolutely missed a call and the coaches have no idea what they are doing.

When not dominating imaginary scorecards, David could usually be found in a boat convincing fish to bite through sheer persistence, or in the woods proving that camouflage works best when paired with snacks and a comfortable chair, assuming he would ever stop walking around in the woods. His hunting stories were legendary, occasionally growing slightly larger with each retelling.

Friends and family will remember David for his humor, his love of the outdoors, his competitive spirit, and his uncanny ability to explain exactly how he would’ve done it better, because he knew best. If you met him once, you were friends for life.

David is reunited in heaven with his parents, Wilmar and Muriel Auringer, his siblings Wilmar “Corky” Auringer, Lonnie Trio and Myla Salfer.

He is survived by his two sisters, Jodi and Beth; children Melanie (Eric), Jon (Jackie), Brad (Robin), Robert (Ryanne) and Alex (Jake) Auringer; two stepsons, Joe and Mike Kipke; and several grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests attending a ballgame, going fishing, telling a slightly exaggerated hunting story, or loudly disagreeing with an umpire. You could also play a game of pfeffer and yell at your partner for not playing the right card, because he always knew what everyone had in their hand - just to keep David’s spirit alive.

Rest easy, David. The fish are biting, the deer are plentiful, and somewhere there’s a perfect softball field with no bad calls.

Final score: David 1, Time 0.